Nine dirty desserts in Edinburgh that you won’t believe are vegan

Fancy something sweet? You’re in luck. The vegan food scene has come a long way in Edinburgh, and long gone are the days where the only way that vegans could finish their meal out was with the lemon sorbet or – even worse – a fruit salad.

The range of vegan desserts in Edinburgh has grown exponentially over the last few years, so let’s take a look at some of the finest examples the city has to offer. From rich chocolate sundaes to creamy vegan cheesecakes, you’re guaranteed to find something that will satisfy your sweet tooth in Scotland’s capital. Read on and get ready to start craving!

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Apple pie and ice cream, Holy Cow

34 Elder Street, EH1 3DX

Holy Cow are renowned for their brilliant cakes and bakes, so make sure you leave some room after your burger, sandwich or salad for a sweet treat. This apple pie was particularly glorious, with a chunky fruit filling and sweet crumbly pastry. For extra indulgence, pop on a scoop of ice cream for an extra £1.

Herringbone Goldenacre has a good range of vegan desserts, but this is arguably the most indulgent. This chocolatey brownie comes with a chocolate sorbet that is rich and dark and all sorts of wonderful. Devour with a glass of vegan wine, which you can choose from their wine list that clearly states the vegan tipples available.

Caramelised banana, No.1 The Grange

1 Grange Road, EH9 1UH

If you’re looking for a dish with some real wow factor, then this dessert is for you. The idea of a caramelised banana sounds simple enough, but the presentation of this fine dessert really is something else. As you can see from the picture above, it looks like a piece of art. It’s not too heavy a dessert either, so you won’t feel too sluggish after you have enjoyed this gorgeous creation.

Espresso affogato, Hendersons Vegan

25 Thistle Street, EH2 1DX

This particular dessert has a special place in my heart, because it was one of the first dishes I tried after turning vegan. Tasting the smooth vanilla ice cream combined with the rich sweet coffee, I instantly fell in love and realised that being vegan was going to be a walk in the park. 🙂 Hendersons Vegan is an old favourite in Edinburgh’s New Town, and thankfully this lovely dessert can still be found on their menu today.

Gluten-free chocolate brownie, Harmonium

60 Henderson Street, EH6 6BS

Harmonium are well renowned for their comfort food favourites, and their desserts menu is no exception. This rich and decadent chocolate brownie, served with a generous helping of vegan ice cream, is the perfect way to round off any meal. And it’s gluten-free, too!

Peanut butter jelly cheesecake, Novapizza

42 Howe Street, EH3 6TH

Novapizza are famous for their pizzas, but I’m going to let you into a little secret: save some room for dessert, because their cheesecakes are absolutely divine! The kitchen experiments with flavours day-to-day, but the smooth creamy vegan cheese topping with a lovely crumbly base remains consistent no matter what the offering. Don’t leave this restaurant without trying one!

Waffles and ice cream, Affogato

36 Queensferry Street, EH2 4QS

If you’re looking for vegan ice cream in Edinburgh, Affogato is a must. I’ll admit, sometimes after a meal out I will get the check at the restaurant, then head on over to Affogato specifically for dessert. If you still have plenty of room, try their vegan waffles with your choice of ice cream. Ask your server what the dairy-free options are for that day. The peanut butter flavour is my current favourite. 😉

Pineapple Tart Tatin, The Sheep Heid Inn

43-45 The Causeway, EH15 3QA

The Sheep Heid Inn is Scotland’s oldest pub, and they have a dedicated vegan menu. Keep an eye out for the pineapple tart tatin. This dessert is absolutely gorgeous, with flaky pastry, caramelised pineapple and a creamy coconut sorbet.Whenever you dine at this historic inn, make sure you leave room for pudding!

Vegan cinnamon roll, The Rose Theatre Café

204 Rose Street, EH2 4AZ

Rose Theatre Café offers a great selection of brunch and lunch options, but if you still have room after your soup and sandwich then make sure you grab one of their lovely vegan cinnamon rolls. Moist and sweet, if you see any left on the cake counter I would heartily recommend you take one! They make a really comforting treat.

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Disclaimer

I try my absolute upmost to make sure that every review is accurate – but mistakes do occasionally happen so always double check with your server before ordering. If you find any errors on the site, please contact emma@veganedinburgh.com and I will rectify as soon as possible.